There may have been a reason why John Harbaugh and Ozzie Newsome seemed to have no problem blowing up a Super Bowl-winning team.

The Ravens’ head coach had no problem with star safety Ed Reed leaving town, according to Mike Preston of the Baltimore Sun. In fact, Preston writes Harbaugh “wanted Reed back as much as he wants a root canal.”

There were reports of a “near mutiny” back in November that was led by Reed and Bernard Pollard, who was cut by the Ravens before free agency started, over Harbaugh’s treatment of players and decision to practice in pads midseason. That near mutiny could have led both players out of town.

There were reports at the time that the Texans, who Reed eventually signed with, were in a bidding war with the Ravens over the safety’s services. Preston writes that Baltimore just made it appear that way out of respect for Reed.

There were rampant rumors that New England would acquire Reed this offseason. Maybe both parties are better off apart. Reed likely wouldn’t like some of Bill Belichick‘s practice habits and expectations.